Feeling out of place became the most recurring emotion that I felt so deeply during my last years of high school. Being a firm Christ-believer and going to a public high school was quite the experience. Trust me. Anything against the Catholic Church was horrifically glorified at school. Being Catholic didn’t really fit with the “social norms.”
I have a distant memory of someone making rude comments about Mama Mary. The substantial hurt in that moment pierced through my heart. My tongue stung as I bit it to keep the tears from flowing.
It almost made me feel ashamed of being Catholic. I felt like I wasn't allowed to be treated with respect because of my beliefs. I questioned my faith multiple times. I was frightened as to why the Lord would let me go through this type of heartbreak.
I felt absolutely defeated.
As the years went by, being bold in my faith became harder. I eventually came to a point where instead of being frustrated by people’s comments, I started to ask the Lord to forgive them.
In today’s Responsorial Psalm, it reads, “My heart exalts in the Lord, my horn is exalted in my God. I have swallowed up my enemies; I rejoice in my victory” (1 Samuel 2:1).
My heart felt more at peace knowing that the Lord takes care of all His children. Even the ones that don’t love Him.
This gave me a new insight in prayer. There’s nothing wrong with praying for yourself, but remember to pray for your enemies or people you are struggling with as well. They are sacred in the Father’s eyes. He loves them endlessly and unapologetically. And He longs for them to be part of the Body of Christ.
The Lord takes care of all His children. // Bella RolClick to tweet
Turn to the Lord in prayer for people who hurt you today. Offer them to His Sacred Heart.
Bella Rol is a college student from Monterey, CA. She is studying Early Childhood Education as she pursues her dream of working with children and one day having her own to care for. In the meantime, she is the big sister to three younger brothers. In her free time she is usually found with her sketchbook and art supplies as she doodles away.
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